Reincarnation Sword God

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00415 Celestial Realm ————————————————————————=

Miho’s appearance had slightly changed from before. She used to be the noble consort of the Dongyoung Imperial Palace, but now she resembled a rather demure and graceful beauty. Compared to before, her body’s curves had lessened, but her charm had grown stronger, with a gaze that seemed capable of enchanting anyone.

It was a transformation of Miho that I had never seen before, yet I realized it was her at a glance due to her presence. This was because, in the past, I had borrowed her aura while learning the Fireball technique, so I could recognize her despite any changes in appearance. Trembling, I spoke as soon as I saw Miho.

“Y-You were here all along…”

She tossed her long, flowing hair and replied, “Is there any reason I shouldn’t be here? Were you looking for me, perhaps?”

“……”

“Hehe, just kidding. It was actually me who was looking for you, running around until my feet got sore…”

Miho said this with a somewhat bittersweet tone.

I struggled to grasp the situation and asked her, “Miho, what happened? How did you end up here…?”

Miho responded, “Baek Woong, while you were pleading for my release to the Queen Mother, I was given an assignment. That assignment was to follow you for the next ten years and protect you.”

“……”

“But for some reason, no matter what divination or tracking techniques I used, I couldn’t catch up to you. It’s because you flew through the Heaven and Earth Sea like it was your home. Just when I thought I’d caught up, you were suddenly thousands of miles away. What was I supposed to do?”

As Miho glared at me, I found myself at a loss for words.

“Uh… I’m sorry.”

“Hehe. And just when I thought I was quietly staying still, I found terrifying humans lurking around. Was it the White Lotus Sect? I couldn’t possibly infiltrate with my power, so I hesitated nearby and went to Master Mangnyang.”

“To Master Mangnyang?”

“He’s someone I have almost the only connection with down in the Central Plains.”

As she spoke, Miho looked out the window.

“Master Mangnyang said I lacked power and trained me in techniques. Then, after I thought I’d gained enough strength, he told me to go to Shaolin Temple. He said you would eventually come to find me…”

“I…?”

“His words were correct. In the end, I waited, and here you are.”

I felt bewildered. If Master Mangnyang trained Miho out of personal interest, how could he have predicted I would go to Shaolin Temple? As I pondered this, Zhuge Sa commented disdainfully.

[ Since you were appointed as a messenger of the celestial realm, you must have tasks regarding the Heavenly Altar. It stands to reason you’d come to visit the altar in Songshan, which is particularly important.]

[ Ah!]

That made sense. In fact, I had come to the Heavenly Altar on business. As I was deep in thought, Miho suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Baek Woong. Stay here for the next 49 days.”

“……?!”

What is she talking about? Then Miho continued speaking.

“The arrival of the celestial realm is something that cannot be stopped by human strength. Don’t get caught up in unnecessary dangers; let’s stay together and go to Master Mangnyang. He’ll surely protect you from the calamities of the celestial realm.”

“……”

I stood there, dumbfounded by Miho’s words, and asked, “Miho, how do you know all this? I haven’t said a word yet about what happened…”

Indeed, I had just had a conversation with the Zen Master and had come directly here. It hadn’t even been half a moment since the Zen Master heard my circumstances. Yet Miho, hiding in this isolated temple, spoke as if she knew everything.

Then Miho replied, “I have enhanced my Six Divine Transcendences through training. I’ve already heard everything you were discussing at the Heavenly Altar.”

“What…?”

I was somewhat taken aback. The distance from this secluded temple to the Heavenly Altar was considerable, easily a mountain range apart. For her to hear the conversation from such a distance meant that her hearing transcended even the greatest of animals. It was clear that Miho had achieved remarkable mastery in her techniques.

Still holding my hand tightly, she continued to speak. “I don’t know what you were thinking when you prayed for my release. I’m not fond of how you’re trying to act all knowing. However, it is true that you are my benefactor, so I can’t just let you die like this.”

“……”

So this is how Miho perceives my existence.

[ A confusing mystery, but hard to hate, huh? What a charming twist!]

Shut up!

After growling at Zhuge Sa, I calmly told Miho, “Miho, I’m really sorry for my previous rudeness. I truly appreciate you waiting for me like this. However, I can’t easily accept that proposal right now.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Before that… can you trust me?”

After saying this, I took out a piece of obsidian from my pocket. It was palm-sized, but it would suffice. After filling it with my memories, I held it out to Miho.

“If you take this, my memories will be transferred to you. If you trust me, please accept it.”

“Hmm…”

Miho appeared to be pondering for a moment. Then, with a cautious tone, she asked, “You’re not planning to use this to seduce me, are you?”

“Gah… Of course not!”

I stuttered, caught off guard. I hadn’t expected that thought at all. At the same time, I realized that the incident where I had suddenly embraced Miho had made her see me as a Color Demon. My momentary lapse in emotional control had led to this misunderstanding. My face flushed as I desperately explained, “I would never do that. Really.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

“Hmph… I’ll treat it as if I’m being deceived.”

Miho accepted the obsidian.

Fwoooooosh

Once the memory transfer completed, Miho wore a dazed expression for a moment. Then, as if too shocked, her human disguise slipped, revealing her face to be like a silvery fox. Realizing her mistake, she hurriedly transformed back into her human form.

Flustered, Miho exclaimed, “Th-This… Rebirth? How can that be…?”

“Believe it or not, it’s all true.”

“Hmm… Hmm…”

After a long period of contemplation, Miho suddenly said, “You’re quite the bad guy. Do you really dislike the idea of surviving for ten years just to elevate me? It must be boring to die so frequently.”

“Gah…!!”

With her arms crossed, Miho shook her head.

“How can you have died upwards of twenty times in less than a hundred years…?”

I was left speechless at her sudden insight.

‘Ugh… I have no words to refute…’

That’s right. I had very few instances of surviving beyond ten years. Although I had managed to live quite some time this life, I still hadn’t even completed ten years. Most of my previous lives had ended abruptly due to sudden endeavors. As a result, Miho had been unable to ascend and had either perished with me or been abandoned.

Then Miho began to laugh.

“Haha… I was just joking.”

“That didn’t sound like a joke at all…”

“Hehe. Well, there’s bound to be some truth mixed in with my jest.”

Lightly brushing past the serious comment, Miho continued. “So, are you sharing thoughts with that Zhuge Sa fella at the moment?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, Zhuge Sa must be listening to this conversation.”

“Yup.”

Miho scrunched her face in distaste.

“Blech. How can you stand it? Sharing a brain with such a bizarre person?”

“It’s more like… I’ve just adapted to it.”

“Hmph. You should ditch him soon.”

With annoyance in her voice, Miho said this as Zhuge Sa chuckled inside me.

[ Hehe… If you get reincarnated into a new body, that fox woman… ]

[ What?! Are you crazy?! ]

[ Oh, of course, you’ll have to go first. I’ll let you have that much leeway. ]

There was a somewhat mischievous tone. I was aware of the intent to annoy me, yet I found myself caught up in it anyway.

[ Damn it. Cut it out! I won’t forgive you for bothering Miho.]

Even though Zhuge Sa had spoken in all sorts of ways, I couldn’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of Miho. With heartfelt rage, I stormed, yet Zhuge Sa only chuckled.

[ So, you’re saying you prefer a Color Demon over the world’s best beauties, like Sagong Lin or Seo Mun-hye? Seems like you’re losing your mind, lol… ]

[ Who I like is not the issue! Just stop already.]

I scowled and turned to Miho.

“Anyway, Miho. Currently, I’m helping the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Those celestial beings are quite suspicious, and I want to uncover the true intentions and abilities of the Master. So, for 49 days, I need to do everything I can to prevent the descent of the celestial realm.”

Then Miho responded gruffly, “Baek Woong, do you genuinely not understand the powers of the celestial realm? Confrontation only leads to death.”

“The leader has already defeated Southern Flower Immortal, Wugil, and Zhang Jue. His strength has surpassed even the Great Immortal, so if he combines with the Twelve Joules, well…”

“Hmph!”

Miho sneered.

“Just because he defeated their three, don’t get overly confident. It’s laughable to think he won’t be crushed soon.”

“Three is still quite impressive. Isn’t that enough to be confident?”

“I come from the Celestial Realm. Naturally, I’ve seen the drastic difference between an ordinary Great Immortal and a Transcendent. Not to mention, the Southern Flower Immortal is simply a showy figure, not regarded as a powerful immortal. You’re grossly misjudging the power of the celestial realm.”

After saying this, Miho gripped my hand tightly.

“Indeed, Baek Woong. As you said, there’s a chance the Master’s plan might work, and we could manage to fight the celestial realm to some extent. But do you really have the loyalty to risk so much for a leader who isn’t even your own?”

“……”

Miho’s reasoning struck home, leaving me at a loss for words. Her logic was sound, and she showed me a clear path to survival while assuring future safety. It was true that while the White Lotus Sect might perish to the celestial realm’s grip, being protected by Master Mangnyang would still be beneficial.

[ Hey. Just answer like this… ]

[ Enough. I’ll answer it. ]

Zhuge Sa tried to interject once more, but I firmly resisted. I wanted to engage in this conversation with Miho on my own terms. Regardless of Zhuge Sa’s unmatched wisdom, there were realms in which I would not heed his counsel. After organizing my thoughts, I addressed Miho.

“Miho, I don’t want to give up that easily.”

“What do you mean?”

“Even if I fail or succeed over the next 49 days, there will be experiences gained along the way. In the process, I’ll also acquire additional information and clues. This means I’ll be able to lead the next confrontation with the celestial realm in a more favorable direction.”

“……”

“And besides, without the Twelve Joules, there’s not a lot I can do alone.”

Miho, shocked by what I said, looked incredulous. “Are you seriously thinking about your next reincarnation in this scenario? You’re willingly risking your life this time, even though there’s a way to survive?”

“Yeah. Is that so wrong?”

“You’re insane! Even if that method seems efficient, that’s still a mad choice! Aren’t you scared of dying?”

Miho appeared exasperated, jumping up in disbelief.

“Not at all.”

However, I didn’t want to back down on this.

“I’ve never been to the Underworld.”

This was unprecedented; never had I come this close to the Master of the White Lotus Sect before, and in this way, I gleaned high-level information that would have been unattainable even through dozens of deaths. Although quitting now and retreating to solitude in the mountains sounded easy, I couldn’t guarantee I wouldn’t make another reckless move like in this life.

So I said to Miho, feeling a bit glum, “If that’s the case, then I’ll ask Master Mangnyang to send you back to the celestial realm. A few treasures should be enough for a request like that.”

“No… that’s…”

“So please, don’t interfere with my matters. I won’t be asking for your help.”

I turned my back to leave the secluded temple, but Miho stopped me.

“Wait!”

As I halted, Miho said, “Baek Woong, let me ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“If I help you… can you promise to love only me, both now and in all future lives?”

I was taken aback by her question and smiled brightly as I answered without hesitation.

“Forever!”

With a flash, Miho’s face turned bright red. She quickly regained her composure and spoke in an aloof tone.

“Okay, I’ll help you as long as your life isn’t in danger as much as I can.”

“What? Have you changed your mind?”

“But if you fail to change during those 49 days, you must do as I say. Understood?”

“Understood!”

If Miho agreed to be my companion, then there would be no need for me to maintain my loyalty to the Master of the White Lotus Sect until the very end.

I could simply live out the remaining lives with Miho by my side.

With that, Miho became my companion. She sat calmly in the temple, saying, “The first thing we need to do is figure out why the celestial realm is acting out like this.”

“Is it because the Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Twelve Joules are disrupting the balance of heaven and earth?”

“Something tells me that’s not the case. Why, then, didn’t they descend when the Imperial Palace governed Luoyang?”

“Hmm.”

That perspective was something I hadn’t considered. As I pondered, Zhuge Sa interjected irritably.

[ Damn it, this is uncomfortable. Hey, bring me a body to use for the Soul Exchange Technique. ]

Swish

I followed Zhuge Sa’s demand and retrieved one of Zhuge Yulong’s remaining bodies, placing Zhuge Sa’s soul inside. A moment later, he opened his bleary eyes and unexpectedly addressed Miho.

“Fox lady. Talking to this idiot will make the night last. Let’s talk instead.”

“Hmph… Are you the madman called Zhuge Sa?”

“Kukukuku.”

Zhuge Sa chuckled and settled comfortably by the window.

“Anyway, since the Master of the White Lotus Sect controls Luoyang, the celestial realm is surely upset because of a seal.”

“A seal?”

“Yeah. This is probably unnecessary worry…”

Zhuge Sa muttered as he continued, “I’m not entirely sure, but I’ve heard there’s a great seal that has been maintained in Luoyang since long ago. The celestial realm might be acting strongly for fear of that seal falling into the hands of the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”

“If you knew about it, then the Vermilion Bird must have known about it, too?”

“Indeed.”

“Then why did they leave it alone when the Vermilion Bird governed Luoyang, but intervene when it’s the Master of the White Lotus Sect?”

“……”

After hearing Miho’s pressing question, Zhuge Sa took a moment to think before he replied.

“Perhaps the seal cannot be released through technique, but it’s one that only the Master of the White Lotus Sect can dispel.”

That answer left both Miho and me in a stunned silence.

What kind of riddle was that?

What kind of difference could possibly exist between the Vermilion Bird and the Master of the White Lotus Sect?

Yet, it was also true that Zhuge Sa’s answer seemed the most plausible at this point. While considering his words, I suddenly remembered and exclaimed, “Sangwan Hyuk!”

“Sangwan Hyuk?”

Miho looked at me with confusion, but Zhuge Sa smiled knowingly.

“Hehe… You’ve certainly become more perceptive.”

“It’s the only possibility.”

“Right.”

Zhuge Sa continued, “The seal that the genius Sangwan Hyuk cherishes! That’s the seal that the celestial realm is worried about.”